Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James Richardson was shot and killed after responding to investigate a disturbance on Blackburn Avenue. He was shot as he stepped out of his patrol car at the scene at 10:30 p.m. The bullet hit him in the chest one-half inch above the top of his bullet-proof vest. A teenage suspect was arrested a short time later. The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison on July 11, 1977. He was paroled on August 14, 1986. Officer Richardson was a Vietnam War veteran and served with the York Police Department for 10 months. He had previously served with the McCook Police Department and Rawlins County (Kansas) Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NE-632A947F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Richardson gave the York Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the York community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James M. Richardson II served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer James M. Richardson II is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.
In NE, 97 of 151 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.2% of this state's fallen. That is 64.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James M. Richardson II's cause is highlighted.
How James M. Richardson II Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James M. Richardson II is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James M. Richardson II was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Military Service
James M. Richardson II served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit James M. Richardson II’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from York Police Department are honored on badge.nw.